pentax 55-300 PLM: best in class for Digital Camera Magazine

torashi · 06-12-2018, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

Saw this now (...just 3 months late! XD ). Good news!

If you can stomach the risk, there's a hacked firmware for our K-30, that makes it the same as a K-50... perhaps you've already read it:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/343703-running-k-50...re-k-30-a.html

Read it just now. I hope a K-5 version of that back can be modified to work on our cameras. K-5 users from this thread need to bump that one. I already asked the question.

Thanks LensBeginner!

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LensBeginner · 06-12-2018, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by torashi

Read it just now. I hope a K-5 version of that back can be modified to work on our cameras. K-5 users from this thread need to bump that one. I already asked the question.

Thanks LensBeginner!

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I think it can't be done.
The point is the K-30 and the K-50 are virtually the same camera, only with a different external appearance and different firmware, while the K-5 is a completely different camera.
One people tried that with a K-01, as you've probably read, and it bricked the camera. He had to have it serviced.
So I wouldn't try that if I were you...

reh321 · 06-12-2018, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

I think it can't be done.
The point is the K-30 and the K-50 are virtually the same camera, only with a different external appearance and different firmware, while the K-5 is a completely different camera.
One people tried that with a K-01, as you've probably read, and it bricked the camera. He had to have it serviced.
So I wouldn't try that if I were you...

I'm really surprised at that. I had heard that the K-30 and K-01 are virtually identical - I wonder what {other than K-01 lacking mirror} is actually different. I've noticed that no aperture control issues has been reported for the K-01.

torashi · 06-12-2018, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

I think it can't be done.
The point is the K-30 and the K-50 are virtually the same camera, only with a different external appearance and different firmware, while the K-5 is a completely different camera.
One people tried that with a K-01, as you've probably read, and it bricked the camera. He had to have it serviced.
So I wouldn't try that if I were you...

Yeah, I wouldn't try it myself since where I live there isn't even a service center. Just wishful thinking on my part that it could be done.

Originally posted by reh321

I'm really surprised at that. I had heard that the K-30 and K-01 are virtually identical - I wonder what {other than K-01 lacking mirror} is actually different. I've noticed that no aperture control issues has been reported for the K-01.

Well, it should basically work like a camera on live view, and lack the TTL metering and autofocusing units and thus the split mirror. All done through the sensor. I guess the lack of these units is what drives the camera crazy.

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LensBeginner · 06-12-2018, 08:16 AM

Originally posted by reh321

I'm really surprised at that. I had heard that the K-30 and K-01 are virtually identical - I wonder what {other than K-01 lacking mirror} is actually different. I've noticed that no aperture control issues has been reported for the K-01.

Nah, the sensor whould be the same (K-5, K-01, K-30, K-50), but if you think about it the firmware has to be different: the K-01 only has a (rudimentary) AF-C in CDAF, live view is different (no level on the K-01), K-01 has no optical viewfinder, K-30 has a different AF switch (three way), more buttons (the RAW button), two dials, U1 and U2 memory banks...

BirdDude007 · 06-12-2018, 08:38 AM

Originally posted by MrMojo

The focus may work, but I don't think the aperture control will, leaving you with wide open as your only choice

Edited to say: confirmed on my K5, focus is identical as is IQ but aperture control is not working. The F stop numbers change on the displays but the aperture itself does not stop down, fooling the camera's meter into wrong exposures

Well that's a bummer....thanks for that info. Hopefully they will come up with a firmware update to correct it, but I'm not too worried, I bought mine for my K3

Kerebron · 06-13-2018, 05:35 AM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

I think it can't be done.
The point is the K-30 and the K-50 are virtually the same camera, only with a different external appearance and different firmware, while the K-5 is a completely different camera.
One people tried that with a K-01, as you've probably read, and it bricked the camera. He had to have it serviced.
So I wouldn't try that if I were you...

K-500 is also very similar to K-50 and AFAIK modified FW doesn't work on it, too. So, those small differencies really matter. Well, some of them do.

LensBeginner · 06-13-2018, 05:43 AM

Originally posted by Kerebron

K-500 is also very similar to K-50 and AFAIK modified FW doesn't work on it, too. So, those small differencies really matter. Well, some of them do.

Yeah... K-30 and K-50 are probably the very same camera, just repackaged.
The K-30 design was much talked (and much mocked) at release.
I call it the "bat-camera"... with a stubby black lens mounted it kinda resembles the 1989 Batmobile, the one with the round turbine on the front...

normhead · 06-13-2018, 06:14 AM

Find the lens you love and buy the camera it goes on.
It's amazing it's taken Pentax this long to get to this kind of issue. Everyone else faced it years ago. The Nikon, Canon or Sony lens they love, doesn't work on the new body they bought.
There are some things about Pentax catching up that are not all that pleasant. KAF4 being one of them. It's necessary, but unpleasant.

reh321 · 06-13-2018, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by normhead

Find the lens you love and buy the camera it goes on.
It's amazing it's taken Pentax this long to get to this kind of issue. Everyone else faced it years ago. The Nikon, Canon or Sony lens they love, doesn't work on the new body they bought.
There are some things about Pentax catching up that are not all that pleasant. KAF4 being one of them. It's necessary, but unpleasant.

But for some reason, Pentax hasn't chosen to release any other KAF4 lenses.

Kunzite · 06-13-2018, 06:31 AM

The D FA* 50mm f/1.4 is a KAF4 lens.

reh321 · 06-13-2018, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

The D FA* 50mm f/1.4 is a KAF4 lens.

Thank you. With all the talk, I had missed that detail.

normhead · 06-13-2018, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

The D FA* 50mm f/1.4 is a KAF4 lens.

As will be every new lens with a small enough focusing block to be moved by the Pulse motor.

**UncleVanya** · 06-13-2018, 08:15 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by normhead

As will be every new lens with a small enough focusing block to be moved by the Pulse motor.

Is KAF4 tied to the PLM focusing method? I didn't think the two were tied together. I thought KAF4 merely specified electronic aperture and some type of internal focus motor - My assumption being that larger focus groups would be driven by a different method like DC or something like a ring motor.

normhead · 06-13-2018, 08:17 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Is KAF4 tied to the PLM focusing method? I didn't think the two were tied together. I thought KAF4 merely specified electronic aperture and some type of internal focus motor - My assumption being that larger focus groups would be driven by a different method like DC or something like a ring motor.

You're probably right. it was just coincidence the first one was also the first PLM.

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06-12-2018, 07:17 AM	#61
torashi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322	Originally posted by LensBeginner Saw this now (...just 3 months late! XD ). Good news! If you can stomach the risk, there's a hacked firmware for our K-30, that makes it the same as a K-50... perhaps you've already read it: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/343703-running-k-50...re-k-30-a.html Read it just now. I hope a K-5 version of that back can be modified to work on our cameras. K-5 users from this thread need to bump that one. I already asked the question. Thanks LensBeginner! Gesendet von meinem Mi A1 mit Tapatalk

06-12-2018, 07:21 AM	#62
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by torashi Read it just now. I hope a K-5 version of that back can be modified to work on our cameras. K-5 users from this thread need to bump that one. I already asked the question. Thanks LensBeginner! Gesendet von meinem Mi A1 mit Tapatalk I think it can't be done. The point is the K-30 and the K-50 are virtually the same camera, only with a different external appearance and different firmware, while the K-5 is a completely different camera. One people tried that with a K-01, as you've probably read, and it bricked the camera. He had to have it serviced. So I wouldn't try that if I were you...

06-12-2018, 07:39 AM	#63
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by LensBeginner I think it can't be done. The point is the K-30 and the K-50 are virtually the same camera, only with a different external appearance and different firmware, while the K-5 is a completely different camera. One people tried that with a K-01, as you've probably read, and it bricked the camera. He had to have it serviced. So I wouldn't try that if I were you... I'm really surprised at that. I had heard that the K-30 and K-01 are virtually identical - I wonder what {other than K-01 lacking mirror} is actually different. I've noticed that no aperture control issues has been reported for the K-01.

06-12-2018, 07:56 AM	#64
torashi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322	Originally posted by LensBeginner I think it can't be done. The point is the K-30 and the K-50 are virtually the same camera, only with a different external appearance and different firmware, while the K-5 is a completely different camera. One people tried that with a K-01, as you've probably read, and it bricked the camera. He had to have it serviced. So I wouldn't try that if I were you... Yeah, I wouldn't try it myself since where I live there isn't even a service center. Just wishful thinking on my part that it could be done. Originally posted by reh321 I'm really surprised at that. I had heard that the K-30 and K-01 are virtually identical - I wonder what {other than K-01 lacking mirror} is actually different. I've noticed that no aperture control issues has been reported for the K-01. Well, it should basically work like a camera on live view, and lack the TTL metering and autofocusing units and thus the split mirror. All done through the sensor. I guess the lack of these units is what drives the camera crazy. Gesendet von meinem Mi A1 mit Tapatalk

06-12-2018, 08:16 AM	#65
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by reh321 I'm really surprised at that. I had heard that the K-30 and K-01 are virtually identical - I wonder what {other than K-01 lacking mirror} is actually different. I've noticed that no aperture control issues has been reported for the K-01. Nah, the sensor whould be the same (K-5, K-01, K-30, K-50), but if you think about it the firmware has to be different: the K-01 only has a (rudimentary) AF-C in CDAF, live view is different (no level on the K-01), K-01 has no optical viewfinder, K-30 has a different AF switch (three way), more buttons (the RAW button), two dials, U1 and U2 memory banks...

06-12-2018, 08:38 AM	#66
BirdDude007 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas NV Photos: Albums Posts: 784	Originally posted by MrMojo The focus may work, but I don't think the aperture control will, leaving you with wide open as your only choice Edited to say: confirmed on my K5, focus is identical as is IQ but aperture control is not working. The F stop numbers change on the displays but the aperture itself does not stop down, fooling the camera's meter into wrong exposures Well that's a bummer....thanks for that info. Hopefully they will come up with a firmware update to correct it, but I'm not too worried, I bought mine for my K3

06-13-2018, 05:35 AM	#67
Kerebron Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 322	Originally posted by LensBeginner I think it can't be done. The point is the K-30 and the K-50 are virtually the same camera, only with a different external appearance and different firmware, while the K-5 is a completely different camera. One people tried that with a K-01, as you've probably read, and it bricked the camera. He had to have it serviced. So I wouldn't try that if I were you... K-500 is also very similar to K-50 and AFAIK modified FW doesn't work on it, too. So, those small differencies really matter. Well, some of them do.

06-13-2018, 05:43 AM	#68
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by Kerebron K-500 is also very similar to K-50 and AFAIK modified FW doesn't work on it, too. So, those small differencies really matter. Well, some of them do. Yeah... K-30 and K-50 are probably the very same camera, just repackaged. The K-30 design was much talked (and much mocked) at release. I call it the "bat-camera"... with a stubby black lens mounted it kinda resembles the 1989 Batmobile, the one with the round turbine on the front...

06-13-2018, 06:14 AM	#69
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Find the lens you love and buy the camera it goes on. It's amazing it's taken Pentax this long to get to this kind of issue. Everyone else faced it years ago. The Nikon, Canon or Sony lens they love, doesn't work on the new body they bought. There are some things about Pentax catching up that are not all that pleasant. KAF4 being one of them. It's necessary, but unpleasant.

06-13-2018, 06:28 AM	#70
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by normhead Find the lens you love and buy the camera it goes on. It's amazing it's taken Pentax this long to get to this kind of issue. Everyone else faced it years ago. The Nikon, Canon or Sony lens they love, doesn't work on the new body they bought. There are some things about Pentax catching up that are not all that pleasant. KAF4 being one of them. It's necessary, but unpleasant. But for some reason, Pentax hasn't chosen to release any other KAF4 lenses.

06-13-2018, 06:31 AM	#71
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	The D FA* 50mm f/1.4 is a KAF4 lens.

06-13-2018, 06:36 AM	#72
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by Kunzite The D FA* 50mm f/1.4 is a KAF4 lens. Thank you. With all the talk, I had missed that detail.

06-13-2018, 08:03 AM	#73
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Kunzite The D FA* 50mm f/1.4 is a KAF4 lens. As will be every new lens with a small enough focusing block to be moved by the Pulse motor.

06-13-2018, 08:15 AM - 1 Like	#74
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,460	Originally posted by normhead As will be every new lens with a small enough focusing block to be moved by the Pulse motor. Is KAF4 tied to the PLM focusing method? I didn't think the two were tied together. I thought KAF4 merely specified electronic aperture and some type of internal focus motor - My assumption being that larger focus groups would be driven by a different method like DC or something like a ring motor.

06-13-2018, 08:17 AM	#75
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by UncleVanya Is KAF4 tied to the PLM focusing method? I didn't think the two were tied together. I thought KAF4 merely specified electronic aperture and some type of internal focus motor - My assumption being that larger focus groups would be driven by a different method like DC or something like a ring motor. You're probably right. it was just coincidence the first one was also the first PLM.